Gespe’gewaq Mi’gmaq Resource Council

Mawi apoqonmatultinej waqamnmu’g ula gm’tginu.

Lnu’g Ta’n Telins’tasultijig Ta’n Te’si’tij Ga’taq

Gespe’gewa’gig, Ugpi’ganjig, Winpegijuig
Gjijitaqan Lnueiei Ugjit Ugs’tqamug Tle’l aq Ta’n Telins’tasimgl
Ga’te’ga’ti’l Gespe’gewa’gig

The First Nations Perspective on American Eel population in the

Gaspe Peninsula of Quebec and Northern New Brunswick
Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Perceptions of American Eel
Habitat in the Gespe’gewa’gi Mi’gmaq District

Background
T he traditional Mi’gmaq area of Gespe’gewa’gi extends from
the Miramichi River to the tip of the Gaspe Peninsula. This
region now straddles the borders of modern day Quebec and New
Brunswick. Gespe’gewa’gi is the seventh and largest district in the
Mi’gmaw nation. The Mi’gmaq have been living in this land for at
least two thousand years or more: “It was along the shores of the
bays, coves and rivers that the Micmac found the greatest amount
of food and other materials for their needs. In the late spring or
fall, however they left their coastal homes to go upstream to nar-
row places on the rivers where the community gathered to trap
salmon and eels.” Over the centuries, before the pen and paper,
history was passed down by spoken words, through songs and
also through dance.
The Mi’gmaq believe that they came from a history of rituals and
etiquette that respected the lives of plants and animals. They did
not gather or hunt more than they needed to survive comfortably.
Then as they encountered Europeans drastic changes began to
happen. In order to trade for new items the Mi’gmaq had to find
something that the Europeans wanted in return. This something
was furs of mink, muskrat, otter and especially beaver. Many of
the Mi’gmaq left their coastal homes and traditions to collect nat-
ural resources for trade.
-- Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Perceptions of American Eel Habitat in Gespe’gewa’gi
Ta’n Gi’s Geita’s’g
G espe’gewa’gi ta’n ne’gaw Mi’gmewaq e’wumi’tij wejimaja’s’g
Listugu’ji’jg tlapis ta’n we’guteg Gespe’gewa’gi. Gisgug ula
maqamigew eteg a’qataig Gepeg aq a’qataig “New Brunswick”.
Gespe’gewa’gi na lluignegewei aq ta’n mawgi’g maqamigew
Mi’gma’gig. Piamiw ta’pu pituiptnaqanipunqe’g gi’s eimu’tijig
Mi’gmewaq ula maqamigeg. Mi’gmewaq etliwe’jitu’tip wilu’ow
aq ta’n goqwei menuege’tij enm’jajigtug wegupegitgl, walne’l
aq sipu’l. Pem gaqi siwgw gisna toqwa’q, na nqatmi’tital wigual
ta’n etegl enmijajigtug aq pi’tawita’taq etlijijigtu’gweg sipu’l ta’n
mawia’titaq ugjit loqte’galanew plamu’g aq ga’taq. Gaqi’sipunqe’g,
gesgmnaq poqji wi’g’tim’geg, maljewejg gegnua’tut’pnig ta’n go-
qwei gis tliaq a’tugwaqanigtug, gtapegiaqanigtug aq amalgewaqa-
nigtug.
Mi’gmewaq ne’gaw gepmite’tmi’tip ms’t goqwei mimajig, ms’t
goqwei ta’n wejisqaliaq maqamigeg aq ta’n te’si’tij wi’sisg. Mu
negmow ajimawo’tu’tigup gisna ajigtantu’tigup aq ta’n tel nuta’tij
mimaju’nsultinew. Gaqaw sa’se’was’g’p ta’n telolti’tij enmiaq gisi
nenua’titeg Apaqtugewaq mimajuinu’g. Migmewaq amuj pana
gwilmi’tip ta’n goqwei Apaqtugewaq menuege’titew sa’se’wultinew
ugjit negmow msnmnew me’ piltue’l goqwe’l. Ta’n goqwei negla
puatmi’tipnn na anguowe’l, jiagewjue’l, gi’gwesue’l, giwnige’l aq
pjiliw gopitewe’l. Pugwelgig Mi’gmewaq naqtmi’tipnn wigual en-
mijajigtug etegl aq maw ta’n telolti’tij ugjit gtantunew ugs’tqamug
tle’l ta’n sa’se’wultitaq.
Gespe’gewa’gi

Present story
It is now many years later and cultures all over the world are
again talking about sustainable practices and how to use natural
resources with respect. We now need to strengthen our rituals and
etiquette to teach everyone how to survive. No one wants to give
up a comfortable lifestyle, but what cost do our lifestyles have on
nature? The purpose of this paper is to draw attention to an im-
portant relationship between the American Eel and the Mi’gmaw
people.
Gespe’gewag Mi’gmaq Resource Council
A First Nations group called the Gespe’gewag Mi’gmaq Resource
Council (GMRC) was formed in 2007. The vision of the organiza-
tion is to assist First Nations communities by creating awareness,
understanding and gathering support to further sustainable natu-
ral resource management for the development of the resources.
The GMRC wishes to respond to change in the environment and
support the development of their communities while being a lead
voice in addressing resources and environmental issues.
Ta’n Telnenas’gl Ga’te’gati’l Gespe’gewa’gig
Gisgug Ta’n Teliaq
Gi’s te’sipunqeg pemiaq, aq mimajuinu’g gaqi’sunemigsultijig
ta’n pewgwiqatmu’tijig ugs’tqamug ap nige’ wesgutmi’tij ugjit
ta’n tli gepmite’tesnug aq glo’t’tesnug ugs’tqamug tle’l. Nige’
nuta’q ginu Lnuulti’gw mlginewa’tunenu ta’n i’tlolti’gup ugjit
gina’muanenu ms’t wenig ta’n tlimimajunsultitaq. Mu wen getu’
puna’tug ulo’qon. Gatu tali asgo’tmu’g ugs’tqamu ta’n telolti’gw?
Ula wi’gatign weji lugwatas’g’p ugjit menaqa gnua’tugsinenu
ta’n Mi’gmewaq ne’gaw telimgitelma’tij ga’tal telui’tut “Ameri-
can Eel”.
Gespe’gewaq Mi’gmaq Resource Council
Lnueiei mawio’mi teluisig Gespe’gewaq Mi’gmaq Resource
Council gisipugua’tas’g’p 2007-eg. Ula etlugutijig gi’s gisaptmi’tij
ugtlugowaqanuow ta’n tli apoqonmattaq lnue’gati’l. Agnuttaq
ta’n giasgiw teliaq ugjit ulins’tas’gtn aq gwiltaq apoqonmati ugjit
siawi gelo’tas’gtn ugs’tqamug tle’l glaman mlgignewa’tas’gt’tal
aq ne’gaw tetal. GMRC nemitu’tij ta’n teligaqawi asogo’tas’g
gm’tginu. Negmow getu’ niganua’tijig enmiaq wesgu’tas’g
ugs’tqamug tle’l aq ta’n gm’tginug wetmite’tas’gl.
--
Understanding The American Eel
The American Eel population in central Canada and the USA is
declining to levels never seen before. Although eels spend most
of their adult lives in coastal and freshwaters in Canada and the
USA, all mature eels breed at the same time in the Sargasso Sea.
Recently, the American Eel was added as a species of Special
Concern. The Committee On The Status Of Endangered Wildlife
In Canada (COSEWIC) is concerned by recent studies that have
shown a decrease in eel numbers in Ontario and Quebec as high
as 99 percent since 1970s.
* Eels only breed once in their lifetime
-- Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Perceptions of American Eel Habitat in Gespe’gewa’gi
Ta’n Telins’tasultimgig Ga’taq
Ga’taq ta’n telui’tujig “American Eel” pemitgliejig Ganataewa’gig
aq Pastungewa’gig ta’n mnaq teli nmitas’gtnugus. Ms’t ga’taq
ta’nig gaqigutijig newtsiniw etlisiga’la’tijig gta’n teluisig “Sar-
gasso Sea”, je tlia’ tligaqiguti’tij wisgupoqigtug aq tg’poqigtug en-
mijajigtug Ganataewa’gig aq Pastungewa’gig. Me’ gejigowjige’l,
wegla ga’taq na gisite’tas’g’p ugjit pqoji maliaptasultinew. Na
mawio’mi ta’nig niganpugu’tmi’tij,”Committee On The Status
Of Endangered Wildlife In Canada” (COSEWIC) sespete’tmi’titl
ta’n gisimaliaptas’gl toqo we’jitas’g gaqawitgliejig ga’taq “On-
tario” aq Gepeg weja’tegemgeg 1970-eg.
* Pas’g newt siga’lat ga’t ta’n telipgitawsij
 Ga’t “American Eel” Ugtmimajuaqanm
Nijinjig
Na’tami apaqtug “Sargasso Sea”, ga’taq tlisiga’la’titaq. Aqan-
tie’wuti na we’gaw nijinjig panita’tij. Mesipugwelgig panita’jig
tepgunset Apignajit aq gisi siaw panita’taq misoqo Penat-
muigu’s.

Gulpatgij
Gisi gtaqita’tij na saputiamugsultijig aq pepgijigultijig st’ge’
lmu’jminaqsiei nipi. Wito’gutijig ta’n etligsigawitg apaqtug,
teluisig “Gulf Stream” aq lluigneg tepgunsejig misoqo newtipun-
qeg pmto’gutitaq tgesnug tlapis oqwatnug.

Saputiam’tqasi’ji’jit Aq Ga’te’j
Life cycle of the American Eel Panaemg ta’pu gasg’ptnaqanugunolti’tij na peta’lugutitaq
The Egg na’taqamtug ta’n mu teltemigtnug. Na tujiw pemi pittaqigutitaq
Somewhere in the Sargasso Sea the eggs are fertilized. They hatch aq poqji tliangamgusultitaq st’ge ta’n gi’s gaqigwet ga’t. Enmiaq
in about one week. Hatching peaks in February and may continue poqjina’taqama’luguti’tij panaemg ta’pu gasg’ptnaqanuguna’q
until April. jel nanisgegiguna’q jel na’n na pmimqatawamugwita’jig. Na
tujiw siawi pita’wa’lugutijig sipu’l aq sipu’ji’jl. Na tujiw me’
The Larval Form (leptocephalus) mu sgweme’gwgewigw gisna mu napeme’gwgewigw. Siaw
When they hatch they are transparent, flat and shaped like a wil- ga’te’jewultitaq panaemg ne’s’sijig tepgunsejig misoqo newti-
low leaf. They are caught up in the Gulf Stream and drift west and punqeg .
north for 7 to 12 months.

The Glass Eel and The Elver

When the larvae are about 200 days old, they reach the continen-
tal shelf. At this time they change shape becoming elongated and
start looking like an adult eel. When they start swimming into
coastal waters around 255 days old, their pigmentation becomes
darker. They now continue traveling up rivers and streams. At this
point they still are not male or female. They remain as elvers for
3 to 12 months.

Ta’n Telnenas’gl Ga’te’gati’l Gespe’gewa’gig --

The Yellow Eel Wisaw’tqasit Ga’t
Once eel have reached Nqasaiw ga’taq peta’luguti’tij ga’te’gati’l na gsigawigutitaq aq
their habitat they have wisawamugwita’taq. Lpa ta’n te’sulti’tij ga’taq na na’te’l ugji-
a growth spurt and be- atew sgweme’gwewultinew gisna napeme’gwewultinew. Enmiaq
come yellow eels. The pugweli’tij ga’taq na ula wisaw’tqasit ga’t napeme’gwewitew.
sex of an eel is decid- Enmiaq tegle’ji’tij ga’taq na ula ga’t sgweme’gwewitew. Alt
ed and influenced by wisaw’tqasultijig ga’taq siaw pi’tawa’lugutitaq ugjit gwilm-
eel population. If the new me’ ajiglulgl ga’te’gati’l. Pugwelgig ga’taq geju’jig pemi
population is high the pi’tawa’lugutijig Maqtugweg Sipu gi’s ta’sipunoltijig. Gisgug
yellow eel becomes a Ganataewa’gig, suel ms’t ga’taq na sgweme’gwaq.
male. If the population
is low the eel becomes Qasaw
female. Some yellow Qasaq na ga’taq ta’nig gaqiguti’tij aq gisi iga’tutaq wa’wl. Ge’s
eel will continue up- wisaw’tqasit ga’t pemigaqigwej na gegnue’gt’tew qasawu’etew.
stream to look for bet- Ga’taq gaqigutijig tampa tujiw weja’tegemg lluigneg te’sipunqeg
ter habitat. Many eels that are found swimming to upper parts of misoqo tapuisgegipunqeg. Ge’s pemi piltuigue’ga’sij, ugp’sual aq
the St Laurence river are already a few years old. Today in Canada ugpugugual gsigawigwetal, ugjit gisgajalsultinew ta’n tli ajita’taq
it is said that 95% of the eels are female. gta’nug ta’pu pituiptnaqan “km” telpesug. Giwnaqa na wela’gul
ta’n tujiw papga’luguti’tij. Weja’tegemg Apignajit misoqo Penat-
The Silver Eel muigu’s na tlisiga’la’titaq gta’n teluisig “Sargasso Sea”.
Silver eels are the mature breeding form of the American eel. As
the yellow eel matures there comes to a point when its size will Ga’te’gati’l
trigger a change into a silver eel. Eels mature anywhere from 7 to Gaqi’si milamu’gul nme’juega’ti’l ta’n ga’taq gisi i’mu’titaq, wis-
20 years of age. When changing form, their fins and eyes quickly gupoq gisna tg’poqigtug; qospeml gisna sipu’l. Mu ms’t ga’taq
start to get bigger, preparing them for the marine environment. eimu’ti’gw tg’poqigtug. Alt
They are getting ready for a migration of about 2000 km. The ga’taq asuita’jig wisgupoqig-
migration down our rivers and streams happens mostly at night. tug aq tg’poqigtug. Metue’g
Mating will happen in the Sargasso Sea anytime between Febru- giasgiw wen gisitluen ta’n
ary and April. tett etegl ga’tegati’l, muta
weligji’tas’g tam pas’g tett
Habitat ga’taq gisi i’mu’titaq.
Eels use a wide variety of habitat, being able to live in salt, brack-
ish or freshwater lakes or rivers. Not all eels live in freshwater;
some eels actually go back and forth between salt water to fresh-
water. In fact, eels use such different habitats that it is difficult to
define the important characteristics of eel habitat.

-- Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Perceptions of American Eel Habitat in Gespe’gewa’gi
Traditional Knowledge of Eel in Ta’n Lnu’g Teli Nenua’tijig Ga’taq
Gespe’gewa’gi Gespe’gewa’gig
The American Eel is “Ga’t” telui’tut “American Eel” megite’tasit ugjit Lnueiei mima-
important to Mi’gmaw juaqan. “Ga’t” gisna “Ka’t” getanut newtipunqeg, e’wasijig nigo-
life and culture. “G’at” qolg, loqte’gnn aq elg wesgalut. Gaqi’sipituiptnaqanipunqegl,
or “ka’t” is fished (American Eel) ga’t lnueie’t’p mijipjewei, ugtmpisunmuow aq
in all seasons, using mawi e’wasip a’sutma’ti’tij. Gespe’gewaq Mi’gmaq Resource
spears, weirs and also Council (GMRC) weji pqoji panuijqatmi’tip ugjit mawo’tunew
lines. For thousands Lnueiei gjijitaqan ugjit ga’taq. Muta ga’tewei ne’gaw Lnueiei mi-
of years, the American jipjewei, GMRC menue’ge’tip mawo’tunew Lnueiei gjijitaqan aq
Eel was a traditional gina’muanew mimajuinu’g ugjit me’ ulins’tasultinew ga’taq.
food, medicine and
part of ceremonies. Usgaqan
This study was initiated by the GMRC to gather traditional eco- Newtejgeg, Gespe’gewa’gig apjiwsgala’tipni’g ga’taq. Ga’taq
logical knowledge on the American Eel. Since the American Eel gisi pe’tulut’pnig mgignigtug, loqte’gnigalut’pnig gisna giwnaqa
is a traditional food of the Mi’gmaw people the GMRC wished nigoqolg e’wut’pnig. Alt mimajuinu’g agnutmi’tip ta’n i’tlisa-
to gather Traditional Knowledge and further the understanding of qsigutipni’g e’wumi’tij sa’qawei elisgnuatas’g go’lailig map toqo
the American eel population. megwasa’tas’g nigantug ugtuluaq. Ga’taq na la’lugutitaq nmitu’tij
ta’n tett wasoqeg aq mu netlu’siwun na naqmasnmu’t’pnig ga’taq.
Fishing Ga’te’ga’timg’p mu pas’g ugjit wilu’ow. Pugwelgig usgewinu’g
At one time, eel fishing in Gespe’gewa’gi was a common activity. i’ntuisgetu’tipnig ga’taq. Gisgug, awisiw ga’tega’timg. Ms’t
Eels were caught by hook and line, using eel traps or the most com- lnue’gati’l eimu’tijig telua’tipnig gaqaw tgle’jijig ta’nig ga’te-
mon method, spearing. Some people shared memories of spearing ga’tijig. Wegla ta’n maw gaqi’sg
eel at night from a boat with a kerosene torch made by braiding ewi’tas’g’pnn ta’n wejitglie’tij ga’taq
an old mop head into five sections and attaching it to the bow. The na:
light would attract the eel and when there was no smoke in your
eyes it was easy to see them. Eel fishing was not just a subsistence 1) Samuqwan wesam winjig
activity. Many fishers used to sell eel to different markets. Today 2) Piltuatalultimg
eel fishing is a rare activity. All communities said that the number 3) Tegle’jijig ga’taq eimu’tijig
of people fishing eel has decreased. A few different reasons were 4) Mu gegina’muam’gig
given, the most common reasons being: maljewe’jg ga’te’gaqan

1) Pollution in the water

2) Change in diet
3) The lack of eels available to be caught
4) The tradition not passed down

Ta’n Telnenas’gl Ga’te’gati’l Gespe’gewa’gig --

At one time eel were plentiful in Ges’pegewa’gi. Most people said
that they ate eel at least once a week. Some said that they ate eel
everyday when available and others only ate eel one or twice a
year. Many also said that it was served at gatherings.
Traditions to be Handed Down
Catching Eels
Eel were fished all year round, but with different methods at dif-
ferent times. Usually it was men and young boys that would fish
eel. The eels would be about the size of a wrist, almost 1 meter
long. In summer if you were using a spear you could see where the
eels were in the mud because the little holes would have a differ-
ent color mud in front of the hole. Sometimes we fished during the
daytime, but the best time to fish was the night. There was only 2
hours during the day you could really fish when the tide was high.
We would follow the tide in with the boats. In the winter you used
a different type of spear but you would put the spear through the
ice and poke around in the mud, and when you felt an eel, you
would jab it and bring it up. Other times of the year people fished
eel with a rod, line (20lb test or cotton), sinker and baited hook,
usually worms, but also corn and red berries. When the eel takes
the hook, you have to keep pulling it back or it will wrap around
a rock and won’t come loose; or it will get tangled up in the line.
-- Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Perceptions of American Eel Habitat in Gespe’gewa’gi
Newtejgeg, gaqatepiepnig ga’taq Gespe’gewa’gig. Suel ms’t
wen mest’g’p ga’tewei newt te’s aqantie’wuti. Alt telua’tipnig
mestmi’tip ga’tewei te’sigisg’g ta’n tujiw geggugunmi’tij aq ig-
tigig telua’tipnig pas’g mest’g’p ga’tewei newt gisna ta’pu te’s
newtipunqeg. Elg, pugwelgig telua’tipnig i’smuetas’g’p ta’n tujiw
Lnu’g mawita’tij.
Siaw Gina’muaness Maljewejg Lnuoltimg
Ga’te’gemg
Gisi ga’tega’timg’p newtipunqeg, gatu lpa te’s piltuigtanut’pnig.
Apjiw ji’nmug aq lpa’tujg usgala’titaq ga’taq. Ga’taq i’tloqo-
noqsultipnig st’ge’ wen ugtangwisg’ptnm aq piamiw si’st leppie
i’tlpittaqsultipnig. Ta’n tujiw nipg, algu’men gisi nmitut’s ta’n tett
ga’taq geitapultijig sisguigtug muta piltuamugt’tew sisgu gigjiw
enmaqe’ji’jigtug. Jijuaqa, ga’te’ga’tieg’p na’gweg, gatu maw
mujgajewe’t’p wesgemg wela’gul. Pas’g tapu’gul ajietl na’gweg
ta’n gisiwsget’s ta’n tujiw waju’pa’q. Majulgwatmeg’p gjigapa’n
ntulninaq. Ta’n tujiw gesig, e’wat’s piltuigit nigoqol. Pijasga’l’t
pgwi’gnigtug toqo alinantuen, aq enmiaq migute’j na sapalqate’t
aq natqa’l’t. Ap na jijuaqa, mimajuinu’g wesgala’tipnig ga’taq
mgignigtug e’wa’tijig weti’g ugjit waqatign, gisna piesgminn
aq glitaq. Ta’n tujiw pe’tulj ga’t amuj pana siawi natqapilg gis-
na giwto’qapegalsitew guntewigtug aq ma’ mna’sigw gisna
amjilap’tqa’sitew apapi’jigtug. Ta’n maw mujgajewe’t’p ga’taq
wesgaluj na pempisgiaq, gatu elg wesgalut’pnig wela’gul. Ji-
juaqa ga’taq pe’tulut’pnig ta’n tujiw plamue’gemg gisna
atoqwa’sue’gemg. Enmiaq etliwsgen toqo sangew natqapilewen
na gisi pe’tulat’s ga’tejg.
Ga’tewei
Ga’taq gisi pe’tuluj na gaqapijo’lut’pnig aq pesolut’pnig. Mu
naqamasegtnug ta’n teli psa’luj. Ga’tewei wejaqama’tmg’p,
etoqtatmg’p, wigplatmg’p aq nutpatmg’p. Wejaqama’tas’g ga’te-
wei na maw mujgajewei. Ni’n tmg ugsua’tugg ga’tewei ge’s
mu plamuei aq jagejuei. Ga’tewei na maw gelulg mijipjewei
aq maw wigapu’g. Pusgi malqutmg’p ga’tewei ugjit ta’n tel ge-
The best time to fish eels was in the evening, but eel were also
fished at night. Sometimes eel would be caught on salmon or trout
fishing trips. If you are fishing and you reel in too slow, you will
catch small eels.
Eel as Food
After the eels were caught they would be hung up and skinned. It
is hard to skin an eel. Eel were boiled, baked, smoked, and roasted.
Boiled eel is the best. I would choose eel over salmon and lobster.
Eel are very rich, very very good. Eels were regularly eaten as
a staple source of protein. The young people don’t eat eel. Most
young people have not seen an eel, when they see one they think it
is a snake. Eels were always eaten at every gathering or feast. Eel
make some people feel sleepy after they eat them. There is a little
gray line on the top of the spine that I always remove before cook-
ing the eel – it makes me feel sleepy and my legs tingly (maybe I
am allergic?).
Uses of Eel
Eel skin was used
to bind sprains
and other injuries.
When joints were
swollen my fa-
ther would wrap
eel skin around
the joint, and the
swelling would go
down. It worked
like a bandage.
The skin would be wrapped around the joint and would shrink
and heal the joint. Women use to use a piece of eel skin to tie up
their hair. It was sometimes used to lash snowshoes and to bind
toboggans.
Legends of Eel
There is a legend of a lobster and an eel fighting in the Petitcodiac
River. They were fighting over whose territory it was and they
Ta’n Telnenas’gl Ga’te’gati’l Gespe’gewa’gig
lulg tajigeimg. Maljewe’jg mu malqutmi’tigw ga’tewei. Suel
ms’t maljewe’jg mnaq nemia’tigul ga’tal, enmiaq nemia’tij
telta’sultijig mtesgmul. Te’s mawio’mi gisna wi’gupaltimg apjiw
esmuetas’g’p ga’tewei. Alt mimajuinu’g wen gtugsitew ta’n tujiw
gist’g. Wapimqatawe’g elapaqteg wo’gwinigtug na apjiw mena’tu
gesgmnaq wissugwatmu ga’tewei – getugsuguig aq ngatl pissiatal.
(Etug mu wela’linug?)
Ta’n Tel Milwego’t Ga’t
Ga’to’pi e’was’g’p seg’pilsinn ta’n tujiw pestaqa’lsinn aq igtigl
jilo’taqann. Ta’n tujiw angwisgaqann mewpeg, nujj giwto’qopiltew
ga’to’pi toqo apoqpa’qt’tew. Teluwegetmg’p st’ge’ ajijgo-
pilaqan. Ga’to’pi na giwto’qopilas’g wen angwisgaqanmg toqo
ugsuwissa’s’gt’tew aq nijgitew jilo’taqan. E’pijig i’e’wumi’tip
pugwei ga’to’pi ugjit mawpilmnew usapunual. Jijuaqa e’was’g’p
ugjit oqotgwepiluj alaqami’g aq ilpilm’g tepaqanji’jl.
A’tugwalut Ga’t
A’tugwalujig jagej aq ga’t etlintisnig Pitgutgwiaq Sipu. Wejin-
tisnig ta’n wen tlialsusitew toqo se’sapaqtesgmi’tis samuqwan.
Etna na ugjit gisgug mamuni sisguapua’q.
Ap igtig a’tugwaqan, eig’snaq sg’te’muj teliangamgusisnaq st’ge’
ga’t toqo ugsmuit. Na to’q gisapsgnmaj ugsmu’l na gisi e’wat’s ta’n
teli wisuignemj ta’n wen getan’sg. Enma’tatl ta’n wen getan’sg na
giwto’qapega’s’gt’tew ugtinneg wegla ga’t ugsmu’l.
Wiguaje’g Ta’n Ga’taq Etlnmu’jig
Gi’s nemi’gig ga’taq mawapsg’tqaia’tijig pugtug. Tal lugutijig?
Nemituap pemapaqteg esgimoqon ta’n naqtmi’tip gesgijita’titeg
geplutaqan Ugpi’ganjeg. Ga’taq na mu e’wumi’tigw nme’juei
atg’saqta’s’g egwitg samuqwanigtug, maqamigewita’jig taqamo-
qita’tij awti.
--
churned up the water. That is why the water is so muddy today.
There is another legend of an eel-like spirit, that has a horn, and if
the horn is captured you can use it to defeat your enemies. You put
the horn in your enemy and it wraps around the enemy.
Interesting Eel Sighting
I have seen eels in great big balls in the harbor. What are they do-
ing? I saw a trail of slime that they left going over the dam at Eel
River. The eel don’t use the salmon fish ladder there they just go
over the road.
Eel Populations
Knowledge of populations was not clear because no one really
fishes for eel anymore. There were some definite observations that
there is still a strong presence of eel in some rivers and streams
in forested areas (Pabineau area) but few eel observed in highly
developed areas. One particular community (Eel River Bar) that
no longer observed any eel was affected by a dam that changed
much of the habitat in the area. People also mentioned that the tra-
ditional eel fishing grounds in harbors and bays are also the areas
that have seen the most changes due to human development.
-- Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Perceptions of American Eel Habitat in Gespe’gewa’gi
Ta’n Te’si’tij Ga’taq
Mu geitas’gtnug giasgiw ta’n te’si’tij ga’taq eimu’tijig muta mu
wesgalam’gig nugu. Menaqa angaptas’geg nemitas’g’p me’ pug-
weliejig ga’taq alt sipu’l aq sipu’ji’jl nipugtug (Giwtaw Winpe-
gijuig Lnue’gati) gatu tegle’ji’jig ga’taq nemu’t’pnig giwtaw ta’n
etlipugweliganig. Newte’ lnue’gati (Ugpiganjig) ta’n mu nugu
nemiam’g’pnig ga’taq. Geplutaqan iga’tas’geg na asgotg’pnn
nme’jue’gati’l na’te’l. Elg ewitmi’tipnn sa’qawe’l nme’jue’gati’l
ta’n etegl te’s gwimuti aq te’s poqtapeg gaqaw sa’se’wa’s’g’pnn
enmiaq mimajuinu’g poqji pugwelie’titeg.
Goqwajite’taqann Ta’n Wejitglie’tij Ga’taq
Tapusijig gisigu’g ta’n i’usgepnig ewi’tmi’tip ugtejgeweieg
ga’tege’titeg panaemg nesisgegipunqe’g. Panaemg 1970-eg. Mu
wen tapusi’tij gisi angite’tmugup ta’n weji puni ga’te’gepnig.
Gatu tel pipanimuteg gtmite’tmnew ta’n te’si’tij ga’taq, gitg tel-
uepnig sespete’tmi’tij ta’n tel winjig samuqwan. Sespete’tmitij
ta’n wejiaqal winjigl: mimajuinu’g ugtmjegeimuow; ta’n goqwei
wetoqeg aq wejijuig mulinigtug aq me’sgi’gl lgowaqane’l. Igtig
Lnu ewi’t’g’p sespete’tg ta’n telwinjig gigpesan aq igtigl ta’n we-
jiaq goqwei winjig.
Reasons For a Decline in Eel Population
Two elders that were active fishers stated that the last time they
had fished for eel was around 30 years ago. This would be some-
time during the 1970s. However, neither one could think of a par-
ticular reason why they stopped fishing for eel. But when asked if
they had concerns about the eel population both men stated that
they were worried about pollution. They mentioned concerns over
multiple sources of pollutants: sewage and household waste, ef-
fluent from mills and large industry. Another community member
mentioned concern about acid rain and other sources of pollu-
tion.

So What Happened 30 Years Ago? Gatu Talianutuguneg Nesisgegipunqe’g?

There are a large number of mills and industrial plants along the Pugwelgl mulinn aq mesgi’gl lugowaqane’l pemamg’tegl Mawi
Bay of Chaleur. Most of the mills and plants opened up in the Poqtapeg. Suel ms’t panita’qapnn 1970-eg. Na tujiw G’pnno’l
1970s. During this period of time government provided incentives apoqonmatg’pnn wegla mulinn aq mesgi’gl lugowaqane’l ugjit
to industry to create jobs in New Brunswick. New or renovated lugutinew mimajuinu’g “New Brunswick”. Nat goqwe’l wijigl
factories and plants started to produce waste products and some of wejiaqapnn ula pile’l gisna ta’n pililugwatas’g’pnn mesgi’gl
this in was dumped into coastal waters and watersheds. It seems lugowaqano’guo’ml, aq ta’s’gl elo’tas’g’pnn samuqwanitug. Tlue-
likely that the slowing and eventual stopping of eel fishing may be ness ta’n teli awisiw ga’tega’tipnig tlapis pegaj puni ga’te’ga’tipnig
related to the arrival of big industry and pollution. na gisi ugjiass panita’qeg wegla mesgi’gl lugowaqane’l aq ta’n
As communities were developed, a different lifestyle was offered. te’s’g goqwei winjig wejiaq.
This meant not only a choice in activity but also in diet. Many Ge’s gutanji’jl pemigwegeg, pilue’g’p mimajuaqan neia’s’g. Mu
fear that without pas’g piltu’lugutim’g’p elg piltuatalultimg’p. Pugwelgig mimaju-
a traditional diet inu’g jipaqite’tmi’tip mu gji’tm’g ta’n i’tlatalultimg’p, maljewejg
youth will lose ntutaq ta’n tel gigjo’tmu’gup ugs’tqamug.
connection with
nature. Etoqwa’luegl
1963-eg, Ugpi’ganjig nemitu’tip ta’n tel gaqaw piltua’s’g’pnn
Barriers nme’jue’ga’ti’l ta’n tujiw geplutaqan iga’tas’geg sipug ugjit me’
Eel River Bar saw ajipugwelg samuqwan lian negla mulinn. Na tujiw, gisinmu’t’pnig
a drastic change pugwelgig ga’taq pema’lugutijig epune’g asoqomtaqanigtug aq
in coastal habitat gisgug lpa pegaj mu nemiam’gig.
when a dam was
put in the river to

Ta’n Telnenas’gl Ga’te’gati’l Gespe’gewa’gig - 10 -

provide more water for the mills in 1963. You use to be able to
see lots of eel swimming under the bridge and today you don’t
see any.
There is also a causeway that was built many years ago in Bathurst.
This causeway has also changed the habitat in this area. There was
another dam mentioned along the Nepisiguit River that is a hydro-
electric dam. Whether or not this dam prevents eel from getting
to traditional habitat is not known. Maybe the eel just use another
stream to get around the dam.
Conclusion
The Mi’gmaw of Gespe’gewa’gi still retain much knowledge
about American Eel. Fishing and eating eel was a central part of
Mi’gmaw culture. Eel fishing stopped almost completely in the
1970s, and this might have something to do with concerns over
pollution. Over time, with population growth, larger towns and
the arrival of big industry, coastal waters and harbors were per-
ceived to be polluted. This caused some lack of confidence in lo-
cal water and its fish species. Efforts should be made to protect
habitat and further the understanding of contaminants in commu-
nities. Responses from this study showed that the American Eel
is a tasty and desirable food, even in the modern Mi’gmaw diet.
If possible, eel fishing, legends and related traditions should be
resurrected before the traditions are lost with the elders who carry
the knowledge.
- 11 - Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Perceptions of American Eel Habitat in Gespe’gewa’gi
Gaqi’sipunqe’g, elg asoqomitas’g’p awti sipug gutan teluisig Win-
pegijuig. Ula awti elg asgotg’pnn nme’jue’gati’l ta’n ula telgi’g gi-
wtaw. Ap igtig ewi’tas’g’p geplutaqan ugjit “hydro electric” eteg
sipug teluisig Nipisiguit. Mu geitm’g ga’taq etoqwa’lugugunew
ula geplutaqan ugjit lta’new ta’n etegl nme’jue’gati’l gisna mu.
Etugjel, giwto’qotesgmutug ula geplutaqan ew’g piluei sipu’ji’j.
Gaqigisite’taqan
Lnu’g Gespe’gewa’gig me’ gelo’tmi’tij pugwelg gina’masuti
ugjit ga’taq. Mi’gmewaq ta’n telolti’tij ne’gaw ga’tega’tipnig
ugjit wilu’ow. 1970-eg weji pqoji puniga’te’ga’timg’p, aq ula etug
tla’tegenutug ta’n teli winjig samuqwan. Weja’tegemgeg, ge’s
pempugwelia’ti’teg mimajuinu’g, pemims’gi’geg gutanji’jl aq
poqji panita’qeg mesgi’gl mulinn lugowaqane’l, geitas’g’p ta’n
tel winjigl sipu’l aq sipu’ji’jl. Amipoqwajite’tas’g’p samuqwan aq
nme’juei. Ugjo’tmuggup geliga’tmnenu nme’jue’gati’l aq siawi
panuijqamuggup wegla ta’n te’s’gl goqwe’l winjigl lnue’gatig.
Ta’n teliagnutas’g ga’tewei wigapu’g aq mawipuatas’g, je tlia’ gis-
gug ta’n telatalulti’tij Mi’gmewaq. Lpa gis tliaqs’p, ga’te’gaqan,
a’tugwaqann aq ta’n teli lnuoltimg’p apija’tas’gt’s ges mu ges-
gaqtnug ta’n teloltimg’p maw na gisigu’g ta’n geitu’tij ula
gina’masuti.
Mi’gmaw Literature
Davis, A., J. Wagner, K. Prosper and M.J. Paulette. 2004. The Paq’tnkek Mi’kmaq
and Ka’t (American Eel): A Case Study of Cultural Relations, Meanings, and
Prospects. The Canadian Journal of Native Studies 24(2):359-390.
Mi’kmaw Ethics Watch. 2007. Mi’kmaq Research Principles and Protocols. The
Mi’kmaq College Institute, Cape Breton University. (http://mrc.uccb.ns.ca/
prinpro.html
Prosper, K. and M. J. Paulette. 2002a. The Mi’kmaq Relationship with Kat (American
Eel). Fact Sheet #7 Social Research of Sustainable Fisheries and the Paq’tnkek
Fish and Wildlife Commission.
Prosper, K. and M.J. Paulette. 2002b. The Paq’tnkek Mi’kmaq and Kat (American Eel
– Anguilla rostrata). A preliminary report of research results, phase 1. SRSF
Research Report #4.
www.stfx.ca/research/SRSF/researchreports1/FinalReports/Report4.pdf
(Accessed June 23, 2007)
Whitehead, Ruth Holmes. McGee, Harold. 1983 The Micmac How Their Ancestors
Lived Five Hundred Years Ago Nimbus Publishing Limited
Vicaire, J.M. 2007. “G’at – American Eel” Gm’tginaq Spring 2007. Newsletter of the
Gespe’gewag Mi’gmaq Resource Council.

Literature
Brusle, J. 1991. The Eel (Anguilla spp) and organic chemical pollutants. The Science
of the Total Environment 102: 1-19.
CEWG (Canadian Eel Working Group). 2007. American Eel Management Plan. Draft
January 15, 2007. Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Ontario Ministry of Natural
Resources, Ministere des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune du Quebec.
COSEWIC 2006. COSEWIC assessment and status report on the American eel
Anguilla rostrata in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife
in Canada. Ottawa. 71 pp. (www.sararegistry.gc.ca/status/status_e.cfm)
Couillard, C.M., P.V. Hodson, and M. Castonguay. 1997. Correlations between
pathological changes and chemical contamination in American eels, Anguilla
rostrata, from the St. Lawrence River. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and
Aquatic Science 54: 1916-27.
DFO (Fisheries and Oceans Canada). 2006. “Underwater World: American Eel”

Ta’n Telnenas’gl Ga’te’gati’l Gespe’gewa’gig - 12 -

 Fisheries and Oceans, Science Branch www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca
DFO (Fisheries and Oceans Canada. 2007). Integrated Eel Fishery Management Plan:
Eastern New Brunswick Area Gulf Region 2001-2006.
http://www.glf.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fam-gpa/plans/nb/eel-anguille_2007_2010-e.pdf
Accessed (Nov. 30, 2007)
Environment Canada. 2003. Canada’s National Environmental Indicator Series 2003.
Environment Canada, Ottawa.
http://www.ec.gc.ca/soer-ree/English/Indicator_series/esignals.pdf
Accessed (Dec. 6, 2007)
GMCME (Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment). 2007. “American Eels
- Restoring a Vanishing Resource in the Gulf of Maine.” www.gulfofmaine.
org. 12 pages.
Schafer, C.T. 1973. Distribution of Foraminifera near pollution sources in Chaleur
Bay. Water, Air and Soil Pollution 2: 219-233.

Translations
Janice Vicaire & Mary Ann Metallic

- 13 - Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Perceptions of American Eel Habitat in Gespe’gewa’gi

 Quebec

Study Area

New Brunswick
P.E.I

a
oti
a Sc
v
No

Listuguj Eel River Bar Pabineau Gespe’gewa’gi

Ta’n Telnenas’gl Ga’te’gati’l Gespe’gewa’gig - 14 -

Gespe’gewaq Mi’gmaq Resource Council
Mawi apoqonmatultinej waqamnmu’g ula gm’tginu.

94 B Riverside East
Listuguj, Quebec G0C 2R0
T 418.788.3017
F 418.788.3192
www.migmaqresource.org